Best 30-32 foot offshore 80% cruiser 20% fishing ... help!

I am looking to buy a 5 or 6 year old 30-32 foot solid offshore boat that I could use to cruise South Florida and Bahamas in comfort for what could be a couple weeks at a time. I would need accommodations for 4-5 with separate queen owners cabin, decent kitchen with good size fridge. Would I be better off with twin diesels or gas powered? What would be the top three boats for me to check out?

Gentleman and ladies your input and recommendations are much appreciated.

 

If you are looking for maximum interior volume, a trawler type will be best. Their speed is modest, but will have the accommodations you need in that short length.

 

Unless you are all munchkins, that ain't happening.

You can cram 4 into this if the kids aren't to big.

http://www.searay.com/Page.aspx/pageId/10230/pmid/324025/470-Sundancer.aspx.

most 30'ers hold one person comfortably. 33' can hold 2, most couples would want more - 40' is nice for two - can dine 4 or drink 6. Two couples need a good bit more length to get a decent interior arrangement. Faster boats will be longer than trawlers because the engines are bigger and the hull loading should be lower on faster boats.

In terms of max cube, look at some of Carver's offerings. They may or may not be suitable for your intended use.

(a Carver) http://carveryachts.com/models/c34/overview

My recommendation is that you find a good yacht broker to act as a purchasing agent. Spend a couple hours with him sorting out your needs and desires. He can make the cost decisions on the purchase as far as deciding whether to by exactly what you want locally, or transport a boat to you, buy a boat that needs some upgrades and doing that vs buying one that doesn't need any work. If you were to pay him $10K, you would probably already be money ahead by the time you went on your first trip vs going it alone.

 

Faster

Thanks but I would prefer something faster

 

Thanks for your input.

Is the Carver suitable for open ocean passages like Florida to Bahamas and beyond? The boat is close to what I would need as it has everything except no space to fish. Anything out there like the Carver with some fishing features?

 

Carvers have a nice ride, even in a chop. You can cross from Florida to Bahamas if the weather is good. In rough weather offshore, it will probably sink.

 

Scary

Thanks again. Damn that's scary - would all boats sink in what you would term rough weather or are there ones that could weather the storm? What do you call rough offshore weather?

 

He's put the "frighteners" into you now ! I'm not sure whether that comment about sinking was based on a lack of faith in the seaworthiness of the particular boat, or just boats of that type generally.

 

It is the type of boat. They are top heavy, have large cockpit hatches with no way to secure them (they are held by gravity), the cockpits have tiny drains that easily clog, companionways are huge and will not resist the impact of a wave. In short, they are not true bluewater boats, but designed for protected waters or fair weather offshore.

 

A popular boat for this type of use is a Bertram 33 or 35. They are older but often have been re-powered with new diesels. There are lots of them for sale on Yachtworld.....

 

Ditto.

 

Thanks for your input - I will look at Yachtworld.

To get the space I need I will happily move up to a 37-40 foot boat with twin diesels. I would prefer something 5-7 years old and truly safe and offshore/bluewater seaworthy even in rough seas.

I would spend 75-80% of the time cruising and 20-25% of the time fishing.

Now what would you recommend?

 

A Carolina Sportfisherman fits the bill.

 

Offshore I would rather have a deep-vee, one of the Grand Banks Eastbay series...

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1996/Grand-Banks-38-Eastbay-EX-2435303/Morehead-City/NC/United-States#.U8KwLEAylI0

That or any Hunt hull design, maybe a Sabre, the older 38 version

 

Any opinions on Regal or Sea Ray which are also deep-vee?